CALLS for a comprehensive archaeological investigation at the proposed Charles Street development in Dorchester have gained the support of English Heritage.

Campaign group Defend Our Rich Cultural Heritage (DORCH) has launched an online petition to try and highlight the lack of a proper archaeological investigation at Charles Street, as they say the site is of “vital” importance to the town and its history.

Launched by local campaigner Jerry Bird, the petition has been signed by almost 3,000 people and the group said West Dorset District Council (WDDC) and developers Simons will press ahead with Phase 2 of the development without an archaeological investigation they promised in 2007.

The planned development would see a £60million redevelopment of Charles Street, and would include an underground car park, 67 apartments and new retail units, with developers saying a total of 600 jobs would be created.

It is now claimed by English Heritage and campaigners that Simons say a full excavation of the site would be too expensive.

A spokesman for English Heritage said: “We reluctantly agreed to the town centre redevelopment on the basis the archaeology would be fully excavated and recorded prior to being destroyed to make way for new, underground, car parking.

“We understand the developer considers a full excavation to be too expensive, and wants to revise the scheme to limit archaeological investigation and recording.

“There is only one opportunity to record the extremely rich archaeological heritage of this town centre site.

“If the developer is unable to commit to full excavation, we suggest the car parking proposals are revised to omit the underground element, preserving the archaeology beneath the surface of the scheme.”

A spokesman for D.O.R.C.H said: “The site lies within the Roman walls of Dorchester, and its archaeology is likely to include vital clues to the town's past, from prehistoric times to the present, all of which will be destroyed as the proposed development includes underground car parking.

“Now it would appear the council has decided to squander a major opportunity to explore and enhance the understanding of Dorchester's history.

“Instead of a thorough investigation of what remains below ground level, much of the archaeology is to be removed to landfill with the bare minimum of investigation.”

Dorchester Town councillor David Taylor, who is supporting the campaign, added: “I am disgusted and angry that there will not be a proper consultation and archaeological dig at the Charles Street site.

“The fact is the Charles Street development is on one of the most historical and important sites in the whole of Dorset.

“I am dismayed that once again there seems to have been short cuts taken on this site which is of national importance and interest.”

Graeme Cosgrove, group director of development for Simons, said: “We understand the sensitivities of the archaeological issues surrounding the Charles Street Development and are in continued and ongoing dialogue with WDDC and other stakeholders as part of our planning application to reach a mutually acceptable way forward'

For more information on the campaign or petition, visit facebook.com/savedorch